Sick Of Work? Career Counselor Makes Link Between Illness And Job Dissatisfaction

When clients seek Barbara Bailey Reinhold’s career guidance, she takes an unusual step. She gets people to talk about their bodies.

“The subject typically comes up in the first half-hour of the first appointment,” said Reinhold, director of the Career Development Office at Smith College in North Hampton, Mass. “I want people to start finding time for exercise and social interaction. I tell them to walk and hug more.

“You would be amazed at how much more energy people bring to our next session if they go out for three fitness walks in a week or 10 days. I call it ‘kinesthetic optimism.’ “

In her 1996 book, “Toxic Work” (Dutton), she makes the case with research and case experience that many Americans “don’t like what they do for a living and are becoming sick because of it.” She cites evidence: One study estimates that about 20 million U.S. adults hate their jobs and only stay with their current employers to retain health insurance. Other surveys show that fewer than 10 percent of Americans truly feel satisfied by their work.

Dr. Paul J. Rosch, a New York physician and president of the American Institute of Stress, said “career stress is the No. 1 health problem for working adults.” He pointed out that the greatest predictor of heart attacks in people under 50 — stronger than such risk factors as smoking, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol or diabetes — is job dissatisfaction.

In her counseling sessions, Reinhold wants people to recognize that physical symptoms — weight problems, headaches, muscle soreness, fatigue, digestive troubles, lower back pain — can be the result of job unhappiness. The concept goes beyond such ergonomic issues as bad posture in front of your computer or breathing poorly ventilated air in an office building. It is deeper than not having enough time to exercise or eating poorly on deadline.

“Some people are disoriented by their jobs,” said Reinhold. “Others feel undermined or not in control of their lives. Research clearly shows this type of internal upheaval compromises your health.”

Reinhold bases her argument on the budding science of psychoneuroimmunology, which explores interaction and communication among five body systems: the immune system, nervous system, endocrine (hormonal) system, cardiovascular system and musculoskeletal system.

For example, researchers explore the way that the nervous system gives orders and keeps organs in balance. Another area of study looks at how our immune systems fight off bacteria, viruses and other invaders.

A major theme in such research is the physical and psychological effect of stress. Reinhold gauges job stress levels with a questionnaire covering six categories. Here are some sample statements in the six areas that respondents are asked to consider and give responses of 1 (almost never), 2 (sometimes), 3 (often) or 4 (almost always).

“I have trouble sleeping because I wake up thinking about what’s happening at work” (anxiety).

“I’m angry about increased demands at work” (anger).

“I have so much work that it’s impossible to do it all well” (loss of control).

“I wonder whether I’m really doing a good enough job” (lack of confidence).

“It seems nobody at work wants to know what I’m feeling” (shutdown feelings).

“I seem to end up arguing with people more than I would like” (diminished relationships).

If your score for this mini-quiz is 15 or more, then your work toxicity is relatively high, according to Reinhold’s projections. But simply acknowledging such negative thoughts about your job is an important first step.

“Denial has become an inherent part of the process,” said Reinhold. “People find all sorts of anesthetics - from drinking to shopping to recreational hobbies - to escape from their dislike of a job. You can’t treat a health problem until you know about it.”

Such escape routes can, however, lead people to new career paths and goals. Reinhold often asks the question, “If I gave you $1,000 to buy books, what would you buy?” One couple said they would spend the entire sum on animal books, and they eventually started a veterinary services company. If a person would buy mostly novels, Reinhold wants to know what sorts of characters are his or her favorites to determine possible interests and motivation.

Reinhold urges clients to be open-minded about finances. If covering the mortgage and keeping health insurance are key concerns, she said, maybe that means one partner in a couple works toward a new career path while the other provides the stability of a regular job. It might translate to taking classes at night or on weekends.

She recommends analyzing your current budget, especially tagging the “anesthetic spending” (vacations, dining out, parties, sporting events, whatever) that might be less urgent if you felt better about your job status. Another possibility is saving money on medical bills that cease when stress-related symptoms disappear.

When it comes to control, an issue for any person working for an employer, Reinhold has a basic suggestion: “I tell people never again to call their spouse or loved one saying, ‘Honey, I have to work tonight.’

“Instead, you should say, ‘Honey, I choose to work tonight.’ The feelings that emerge from this practice will teach you a lot about the demands of your current job on your body and psyche.”